Everyone is always obsessed with EDC options and what everyone else is carrying daily. Well, in this article I’ll be going over the EDC options to help with the daily life of an entrepreneur! A lot of these are probably obvious, but there are bound to be several gems in here that you may’ve not considered before. The point of this is to make your everyday life easier and more convenient, so keep that in mind as we go through the list.
What Is EDC?
For those of you who don’t know, EDC just stands for everyday carry. It’s usually referenced when discussing items that are commonly useful and carried every single day. In this article I’m specifically going over EDC items that the typical entrepreneur may find mandatory or particularly useful. Of course, I’m sure you already carry and use a lot of these items daily!
The Obvious EDC Essentials
First up, let’s start with some of the more obvious choices. Most of these are probable essentials which you won’t leave the house without.
A Wallet
It’s important to have a wallet whenever you’re out an about. It should be big enough to carry cash, identification, and all of your cards. However, it should be slim enough that it’s easy to carry it in a pocket and doesn’t annoy you every time you sit down. I tend to recommend a slim bifold or a minimalist pick that has just enough room for a little cash and a card or two. Either way, it’s a useful idea to get a wallet with a RFID blocker. RFID blockers can help prevent people from stealing your credit card electronically with a RFID scanner – it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Keys
Obviously, you shouldn’t leave the house without your keys. These can include keys to your house, a mailbox, your office, or anything else you routinely need. If there are keys that you don’t regularly use, it may be wiser to leave them at home unless you need it specifically that day.
Carabiner
Carabiners are a useful tool to hold your keys on. Just slip the key ring on, then attach it to a belt loop. This way, keys aren’t bunching up in your pocket and causing an annoying lump. At the same time, you should be aware that some people find carabiners “low class” and look down on people who use them for their keys. Ultimately, you should do whatever is best and most convenient for you.
Phone
Last but not least, these days you can’t seem to do much of anything without your phone. Take it with you on the go so that you can take calls and keep your business operating!
The Lesser-Known Essentials For EDC
These are lesser known essentials, or items that will make your life much easier overall. The reason I say they’re lesser-known is because a lot of people haven’t used them much and consequently don’t understand how useful they can be for everyday use.
A Bag Or Suitcase
If you have to take a laptop to and from work, or constantly have to lug around a ton of documents, it’s a good idea to invest in a bag or suitcase. What exactly you’d need depends on your day-to-day tasks and responsibilities, but as an entrepreneur you probably have a lot going on so a bag or suitcase may help a lot.
A Pocket Knife
It sounds silly to some, but a pocket knife is incredibly useful. Whenever you’re in a pinch and need something opened, a pocket knife can make your life much easier. It’s not necessarily something you’d use daily, but you’d probably end up using it a couple of times each week – don’t underestimate the value of a decent pocket knife!
Lip Balm
Nobody likes chapped lips. Do yourself a favor and keep some lip balm on hand so you don’t end up with dry and cracking lips – especially during colder months.
Mints
This one is similar to lip balm. Nobody likes cracked lips, and nobody likes bad breath. This is especially useful after lunch!
A Multi-Tool
Like the pocket knife, a multi-tool can come in handy more often than you’d realize. If your business has anything to do with packaging, shipping, hands-on work, or anything of the sort, then a multi-tool could help a lot. Even if it doesn’t, it may be a useful item to keep in your car so that you have it when you really need it.
Flashlights
This is another super useful item. While you’ll use it less often than things like lip balm or a pocket knife, it’s still valuable. Plus, if you work late hours, it may even be a must-have. At the very least, keep a flashlight in the car so that it’s available for you when you need it.
The Mostly Optional EDC Equipment
Everything from here on out is an optional EDC item. However, some of them may still be useful based on your situation.
Watches
Watches are a nice accessory – one of the few that are commonly accepted for men to wear. If you want a good timepiece to go with your suit, knock yourself out. It also helps when it’s not socially acceptable for you to use your phone to check the time.
Pens
If you have to do a lot of writing, note-taking, or signing, then keep a decent pen on hand. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but if you need it daily then you may as well bring it yourself.
Business Cards
I almost put this higher up – in one of the essentials categories – but it really depends on the nature of your business. If you’re frequently interacting with clients, vendors, or potential partners in person, then do yourself a favor and keep business cards on hand at all times. It’s not as mandatory for networking as it once was, but it’s still useful when you’re building connections.
Plus A Case
If you have a lot of business cards, then use a case for them. That will prevent them from folding or getting damaged in your pocket or wallet. It’s not a good look if you give someone a business card that is messed up or no longer legible!
A Phone Charger
Depending on how long and busy your days are, you may want to have a phone charge available so you can keep your phone on. It’s rough when you still have tons of calls to make and places to be and your phone dies early.
Lighters And Cigar Cutters
This one is definitely optional, but if you are a smoker and like the occasional cigar during your week or are having a dinner with a client who does, keeping a lighter or cigar cutter on hand can be useful.
A Comb
If you have longer or messier hair, then it can be worthwhile to carry a comb so that you can avoid a disheveled look. Well, unless you’re going for a disheveled look.
Medicine
If you have medical needs, then make sure you take care of that as part of your EDC. Whether it’s over the counter or prescription, it’s important to keep your health in mind.
Lotion
Hey, sometimes we could all use a bit of lotion. Like lip balm, this can be particularly useful during colder months. If you work with your hands and spend a lot of time outside, then this may actually be an essential item to keep around.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article gave you some ideas about good EDC options for your daily life as an entrepreneur. If you think I missed something, share it with us in the comments!
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